Australia rode Ricky Ponting to 4/293.
The man with a hundred frowns was back to his old self, now fully comfortable with someone else’s hair surgically attached to his head.
King Probot Michael Hussey had a few glitches, but got himself a statistically fulfilling half century.
Brad Hodge, the Victorian cockroach, made another 50, and I’m sure after play you couldn’t take the “I told ya so†grin off his face.
Then the captain, who lead so well with the bat, had a brain fade and allowed a number 6 batsman to have a night watchman at 4 for 300.
Sorry Roy, but if you’re scared of the second new ball, then you shouldn’t be batting in the top six in this side.
I was brought up in cricket sides that just didn’t believe in nightwatchmen.
I have always thought of them as something for County professionals to protect their averages, and for jittery top orders at the close of play.
Under Steve Waugh the nightwatchman system was terminated.
It showed weakness, and Steve didn’t do weakness.
Under Ricky it has been reinstated, I always suspected at the urging of Damien Martyn.
Martyn would have got Ponting in the corner of the change room and whispered sweet nothings about how much better it would be if Dizzy Gillespie faced all those pesky later afternoon deliveries.
It’s a defensive move on a day when Australia was in complete control.
Unnecessary and beige.
For those who are interested the only night watch I like is Nochnoy Dozor.www.cricketwithballs.com
Now with new proper english lady blogger.
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